After ending my call with Cao Jinbo, I returned to the dining table. Nicole looked at me and asked, "Why are you frowning? You look so worried."
I answered truthfully: "It was Cao Jinbo who called. He asked me to attend a banquet they were hosting at a villa in Cangshan. He said that everyone who is well-known in Dali is there... Haha, isn't that interesting?"
"That's a good thing. It can expand your social circle... If you want to do something more in Dali, you might have some connections that you can use."
“I don’t deny that this is a good thing, but it’s Cao Jinbo who called me. Don’t you find that strange?”
"Everyone knows that Cao Jinbo values you. If he needs someone who can actually get things done, it's not surprising that he'd try to win you over."
I laughed: "So it really is true that we became friends after a fight!"
"Don't joke around like that. Cao Jinbo has successfully turned himself into an entrepreneur through the Cangshan Villa project... He hates it when people talk about fighting and killing in front of him. If you really go to the banquet, you'd better be careful with your words and don't say anything that he finds taboo!"
"Where did you hear this rumor from?"
"Is what Cao Xue said considered gossip?"
When Nicole mentioned this, I suddenly remembered that she and Cao Xue had always kept in touch, since they had jointly opened the "Women's Flower" bar. As for me, I had really drifted apart from them over the past year, so I didn't realize that they would sometimes have meals and drinks together in private.
I finally spoke to Nicole and said, "I've always been amazed by how things change, but I never imagined that among all the people I know, Cao Jinbo would change so drastically... How did he transform himself into an entrepreneur?"
"Let's not discuss this anymore, just keep it to ourselves."
I nodded, and I understood even more now: why Cao Jinbo had been so eager to acquire the "Cangshan Villa" project in the first place; for him, the significance of the "Cangshan Villa" project was no longer limited to making money, but also a tool for him to avoid certain risks... But can a person really change himself so completely? And will the fairness and justice that everyone admires really be woven into a new garment and then draped over Cao Jinbo's body?
I have no answer.
...
After a moment of silence, Nicole asked me again, "Are you going? If you are, then hurry up and go... don't give people the impression that you're neglecting me."
I looked at Nicole and replied, "I think you've gone bad."
"What's the meaning?"
"I know you want me to go, but is it really just to broaden my horizons?... Now even you're unwilling to open up to me anymore, what is this if not turning bad?"
Nicole said with a hint of reproach, "Why don't you admit that you have a problem... Who dares to mention Ye Zhi in front of you now?... You explode as soon as she's mentioned it."
"I'm not going to blow it up... I just don't know what these people are up to... Could it be a trap?"
"Don't talk nonsense. No one can harm you, not even Ye Zhi..."
Why do you all have so much faith in her?
Nicole looked at me, then said seriously, "You're wrong. We don't have faith in her, we have faith in you... A man as loyal and righteous as you, who would bear to hurt you unless there was a very difficult reason?"
My teeth are practically falling out from the sourness!
"Look at you, every time I try to talk to you seriously, this is your attitude... Fine, I won't say anything more. Do whatever you want, I'm happy to have some peace and quiet!"
...
Since I wanted to stay in Dali to continue developing my career, Cao Jinbo was an obstacle I couldn't avoid. So after weighing the options, I decided to give Cao Jinbo face. Afterward, I called Chen Jin because I had been drinking and it wasn't convenient for me to drive. Also, I wanted to broaden his horizons. When it comes to social skills, he's much better than me. I really hoped that he could make one or two friends at the banquet who could help him in the future.
To be honest, Xiao Song really had foresight. Although the Z4 he gave me wasn't a top-of-the-line luxury car, it still showed my status. If you drove an ordinary car to this kind of occasion, you probably wouldn't even be able to get into the banquet hall.
...
Twenty minutes later, Chen Jin and I arrived at "Cangshan Villa". Just by looking at the impressive array of luxury cars in the parking lot, we knew that what Cao Jinbo said was true; those who came to the banquet today were indeed people of extraordinary status.
After Chen Jin and I parked the car, we stood together at the door, waiting for the people inside to meet us...
During the visit, Chen Jin remarked to me, "The hotel that Cangshan Yishu built itself is truly magnificent... It's definitely no less impressive than the Hilton next door!"
I remain silent.
Chen Jin added, “It was the right decision to transfer this project to Binjiang Group in the first place… Only they have the financial resources and capabilities to maximize the value of this project… If it had been transferred to another group, they might not have had the courage to plan such a large hotel outside of this project.”
"Yes, it would be a shame not to plan a hotel in a place that is backed by Cangshan Mountain and faces Erhai Lake."
Chen Jin nodded in agreement.
I continued, "Such a huge hotel has been built here, and they're calling it a new landmark in the ancient city... Houses that could originally only sell for 1 million will now sell for at least 2 million... That's their real intention in building this hotel, and it's the true face of capitalists!"
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